# Jung Il-woo

Jung Il-woo (Korean: 정일우; born 9 September 1987) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his roles in the sitcom Unstoppable High Kick (2006), and the television dramas The Return of Iljimae (2009), 49 Days (2011), Cool Guys, Hot Ramen (2011), Moon Embracing the Sun (2012), and Cinderella with Four Knights (2016).

## Early life

The son of a former television news anchorman, Jung Il-woo studied Broadcasting at the Seoul Institute of the Arts, then later dropped out and transferred to the Theater and Film department of Hanyang University, graduating on 20 February 2014.

## Career
### 2006–2010: Beginnings and rising popularity

Jung made his acting debut in 2006 with a minor role in the thriller The World of Silence, but he first rose to fame playing a rebellious teen and motorcycle fanatic with a crush on his teacher in daytime family sitcom Unstoppable High Kick. He then joined the ensemble cast of 2007 romantic comedy film My Love.
In 2009, Jung starred in his first leading role as a young warrior battling injustice in historical drama The Return of Iljimae. This was followed by a supporting role in romantic comedy My Fair Lady, as an idealistic, upper-class lawyer. He further challenged himself when he made his stage debut in 2010 as an HIV-positive gay man in the sold-out play Beautiful Sunday, written by Japanese playwright Mayumi Nakatani.

### 2011–present: Breakout and overseas popularity

Jung's breakout role was in 2011 tearjerker 49 Days, in which he portrayed the Scheduler, a witty modern-day Grim Reaper. His popularity increased with his leading man turn in 2011 cable romantic comedy Cool Guys, Hot Ramen, in which he played an arrogant, immature yet lovable chaebol heir. A supporting role in hit 2012 historical drama Moon Embracing the Sun followed; Jung played a prince who becomes his half-brother's rival in love and for the throne.
Following the success of Cool Guys, Hot Ramen and Moon Embracing the Sun, Jung was launched to stardom as a Hallyu star. He won the Asia Male Actor award at Beijing's Huading Awards, the first non-Chinese entertainer to be nominated at the awards show since it began in 2005.
From 2013 to 2014, he played a prosecutor who falls in love with a girl from a family of orphans in Golden Rainbow. This was followed by a leading role as a prince turned ghost-seeing night watchman who patrols the palace after curfew and keeps the king and his citizens safe, in the supernatural period drama Diary of a Night Watchman.
In 2015, Jung starred in the Korean-Chinese web drama High-End Crush opposite Jin Se-yeon. In less than a month, the drama series recorded over 200 million views. Jung then starred in the Chinese romantic comedy film Rise of a Tomboy, where he plays the CEO of an IT firm who helps a girl develop a love formula for a mobile app.
In January 2016, Jung signed with a new management agency, HB Entertainment. Jung made his return to Korean television in tvN's romantic comedy Cinderella with Four Knights, playing a lonely and wild-child rebel who is not yet used to being a member of a rich family, having lived most of his life as an orphan.
In 2017, Jung starred in Gon Rak Game Ma Ya (also known as Love and Lies), making him the first Korean actor to land a leading role in a Thailand drama. The drama emerged as a local sensation, and led to a rise of popularity for Jung in the country.
In 2019, Jung starred in the historical action drama Haechi. This marks his first project after enlistment.
In 2021, Jung played the lead role in the MBN historical drama Bossam: Steal the Fate.
In 2022, Jung joins the ENA drama Good Job, which is the second reunion with Kwon Yu-ri, and returns to the big screen with the film Highway Family, which is slated for release in November.
In February 2023, he attended the Milan Fashion Week 2023 FW collection Onitsuka Tiger fashion show.

## Personal life

Jung is close friends with fellow actors Lee Min-ho and Kim Bum. Jung is a practicing Roman Catholic.

### Car accident

In August 2006, Jung sustained injuries in a serious car accident while riding in the back of a car with childhood friend and fellow actor Lee Min-ho, who was badly injured in the accident. Their two friends riding in the front of the car did not survive. Jung was left with partial memory loss, causing him to forget parts of his past. He notes that he remembers things, such as people's faces, but not necessarily where they met, and therefore uses photographs to help him remember.

### Military enlistment

In November 2016, he was diagnosed with a cerebral aneurysm. Although this would have exempted him from his mandatory military service, Jung enlisted in December 2016. Jung was discharged on November 30, 2018.
On February 3, 2022, it was confirmed that Jung tested positive for COVID-19, while he had finished the third dose of the vaccine. Jung was contacted by a staff member after filming for SNL Korea Season 2 on January 30 to 31, 2022.

## Filmography
### Film

Feature film performances(s) :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| 2006 | The World of Silence | 조용한 세상 | young Ryu Jung-ho | | |
| 2007 | My Love | 내사랑 | Ji-woo | | |
| 2016 | The Rise of a Tomboy | 女汉子真爱公式 | Ge Yang | Chinese Film | |
| 2018 | The Discloser | 1급기밀 | Kang Young-woo | Cameo | |
| 2022 | Highway Family | 고속도로 가족 | Ki-woo | | |

### Television series

Television drama performances(s) :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| 2006–2007 | High Kick! | 거침없이 하이킥 | Lee Yoon-ho | | |
| 2008 | The Secret of Coocoo Island | 크크섬의 비밀 | Lee Yoon-ho | Cameo (episode 1) | |
| 2009 | The Return of Iljimae | 돌아온 일지매 | Iljimae | | |
| 2009 | My Fair Lady | 아가씨를 부탁해 | Lee Tae-yoon | | |
| 2009 | High Kick Through the Roof | 지붕 뚫고 하이킥 | Il-woo | Cameo (episode 35) | |
| 2011 | 49 Days | 49일 | Scheduler / Song Yi-soo | | |
| 2011 | Cool Guys, Hot Ramen | 꽃미남 라면가게 | Cha Chi-soo | | |
| 2011 | High Kick: Revenge of the Short Legged | 하이킥! : 짧은 다리의 역습 | Il-woo | Cameo (episode 40) | |
| 2012 | Moon Embracing the Sun | 해를 품은 달 | Prince Yang-myung | | |
| 2013 | The Queen of Office | 직장의 신 | Cha Chi-soo | Cameo (episode 3) | |
| 2013–2014 | Golden Rainbow | 황금 무지개 | Seo Do-young | | |
| 2014 | Diary of a Night Watchman | 야경꾼일지 | Lee Rin | | |
| 2016 | Cinderella with Four Knights | 신데렐라와 네 명의 기사 | Kang Ji-woon | | |
| 2017 | Love and Lies | กลรักเกมมายา | Tim | Thai drama | |
| 2019 | Haechi | 해치 | Prince Lee Geum | | |
| 2020 | Sweet Munchies | 야식남녀 | Park Jin-sung | | |
| 2021 | Bossam: Steal the Fate | 보쌈-운명을 훔치다 | Ba Woo | | |
| 2022 | Good Job | 굿잡 | Eun Seon-woo | | |
| TBA | Beautiful Woman | 女人花似梦 | Kim Moon-ho | Chinese drama | |
| TBA | The Girls' Lies | 恋人的谎言 | Lantian | Chinese drama | |

### Web series

Web drama series performances(s) :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| 2015 | High-End Crush | 고품격 짝사랑 | Choi Se-hoon | South Korean-Chinese web drama | |

### Television shows

Television show performances(s) :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| 2011 | One More Time – Jung Il-woo | | Main Cast | | |
| 2015 | Star Chef China | 星厨驾到 | Cast | Season 2, guest from episode 1–4 | |
| 2019–2020 | Stars' Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant | 신상출시 편스토랑 | Cast/chef | Episodes 1–20 | |
| 2021 | The Village Lover | 마을애 가게 | Cast Member | | |

### Web shows

Television show performances(s) :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| 2022 | Saturday Night Live Korea | SNL 코리아 | Host | Season 2 – Episode 11 | |

### Music video appearances

| Year | Song Title | Artist | Ref. |
| 2007 | "This Is Me" | SAT | |
| 2007 | "Goodbye Sadness" | Goo Jung-hyun | |

### Hosting

| Year | Title | Notes | Ref. |
| 2022 | 8th APAN Star Awards | with Kwon Yu-ri | |

## Theater

Theater performances(s) :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Role | Ref. |
| 2010 | Beautiful Sunday | 뷰티풀 선데이 | Lee Joon-seok | |
| 2019 | The Elephant Song | 엘리펀트송 | Michael | |

## Discography
### Singles

| Title | Year | Album |
| "Guilty" (죽일 놈) | 2009 | narration for Dynamic Duo song |
| "Scarecrow" (허수아비) | 2011 | 49 Days OST |
| "Someone Like You" (너란 사람) | 2011 | Cool Guys, Hot Ramen OST |
| "Rain Tears Instead" (차라리 비눈물에) (with Nicole Jung) | 2014 | Diary of a Night Watchman |
| "Heartbeat"(심장박동) | 2016 | The Rise of a Tomboy (女汉子真爱公式) |
| "My All" (내 모든) | 2017 | Love & Lies (กลรักเกมมายา) OST |

## Social activities

| Year | Event | Notes |
| 2011 | 12th Jeonju International Film Festival | Honorary ambassador |
| 2011 | Canadian Tourism Commission | Honorary ambassador |
| 2011 | TOTO Workshop | Official mentor |
| 2012 | 4th Japan-Korea Friendship Festival | Korean representative |
| 2016 | K Travel Bus | Public Relations ambassador |
| 2018 | National Museum of Korea | Public Relations ambassador |
| 2019 | Seoul Catholic Social Welfare Association | Ambassador |
| 2019 | National Center for Trauma | Ambassador |

## Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination :
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result |
| APAN Star Awards | 2022 | Popularity Star Award, Actor | Bossam: Steal the Fate | Nominated |
| APAN Star Awards | 2022 | Best Couple | Jung Il-woo with Kwon Yu-ri Bossam: Steal the Fate | Nominated |
| Asia Influence Eastern Awards | 2015 | Most Celebrated Actor | Jung Il-woo | Won |
| Asia Model Awards | 2012 | Fashionista Award | 49 Days, Cool Guys, Hot Ramen | Won |
| Asia Model Awards | 2016 | Asia Special Award, Actor | Jung Il-woo | Won |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2007 | Best New Actor – Film | My Love | Nominated |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2012 | Most Popular Actor (TV) | Moon Embracing the Sun | Nominated |
| Buil Film Awards | 2023 | Best New Actor | Highway Family | Nominated |
| Cosmo Beauty Awards | 2014 | Forever Young Icon Male Star | Jung Il-woo | Won |
| Huading Awards | 2012 | Asia Male Actor Award | Jung Il-woo | Won |
| KBS Drama Awards | 2009 | Best New Actor | My Fair Lady | Nominated |
| KBS Entertainment Awards | 2019 | Rookie Award in Show & Entertainment | Stars' Top Recipe at Fun-staurant | Won |
| Korea Junior Star Awards | 2009 | Daesang (Grand Prize), TV category | The Return of Iljimae | Won |
| MBC Drama Awards | 2012 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | Moon Embracing the Sun | Nominated |
| MBC Drama Awards | 2012 | Popularity Award, Actor | Moon Embracing the Sun | Nominated |
| MBC Drama Awards | 2013 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Project Drama | Golden Rainbow | Nominated |
| MBC Drama Awards | 2014 | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Project Drama | Diary of a Night Watchman | Won |
| MBC Drama Awards | 2014 | Popularity Award, Actor | Diary of a Night Watchman | Nominated |
| MBC Drama Awards | 2014 | Best Couple Award | Jung Il-woo with Ko Sung-hee Diary of a Night Watchman | Nominated |
| MBC Entertainment Awards | 2007 | Best Male Newcomer in a Comedy/Sitcom | Unstoppable High Kick | Won |
| Ministry of Health and Welfare Share Happiness Awards | 2012 | Recipient | Jung Il-woo | Won |
| Mnet KM Music Festival | 2007 | Best Actor in a Music Video | Goodbye Sadness | Won |
| Mnet 20's Choice Awards | 2007 | New Star Award | Unstoppable High Kick | Won |
| Mnet 20's Choice Awards | 2007 | Drama Star Award | Unstoppable High Kick | Won |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2019 | Producer Award | Haechi | Nominated |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2019 | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Mid-length Drama | Haechi | Nominated |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2019 | Best Couple Award | Jung Il-woo with Go Ara Haechi | Nominated |